Electronic apparatus and imaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

A video camera includes a camera body provided with an opening; a panel unit configured to be pivotable with respect to the camera body between a use position and a storage position; and a lid configured to be pivotable with respect to the opening so as to open/close a battery box. The opening is provided on a surface adjacent to a storage position against which the bottom of the panel unit is brought into abutment at the storage position. The panel unit overhangs a surface in which the opening is provided by the pivot of the panel unit from the storage position to the use position, and the lid pivots relative to the opening to a position which does not interfere with the panel unit so as to open the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and an imagingapparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

There has been proposed an imaging apparatus that includes a memory cardstorage for removably storing a memory card in which data of a shotimage is recorded and a battery storage for removably storing a batterywithin the storage thereof. There has also been proposed an electronicapparatus in which a lid is provided on the storage in order to protecta battery and a memory card from dust or the like and which is capableof performing insertion/removal of the battery and the memory card in alid opened state. There has also been increasing opportunity to performself-shooting in order to bring himself to be viewed by others throughSNS or the like.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-134814 discloses an imaging apparatusthat includes a display unit configured to be rotated so as to beopenable and closable with respect to a camera body and is capable ofdirecting the display unit in a direction suitable for the user'sshooting attitude. Japanese Patent No. 3687163 discloses an imagingapparatus that rockably supports a video display device with respect tothe rear side of the body so as to permit a display screen on which thevideo is displayed to be tiltable in upper and lower directions and iscapable of self-shooting such that the display screen on which the videois displayed is pointed toward the front side of the body.

In the imaging apparatus including a display unit which is rotated so asto be openable and closable with respect to a camera body, the displayunit may interfere with the lid of the storage, such as a card cover, abattery lid, or the like when the display unit is rotated to its openedstate (state where the display unit is in a use position). Consequently,the lid may be deformed or damaged or the display unit may be damaged.

Since the imaging lens and the display surface of the video displaydevice overlap in projection in the conventional technique disclosed inJapanese Patent No. 3687163, the thickness of the video display devicein the display surface direction increases, resulting in an increase insize of the entire imaging apparatus. When the display screen isdirected forwards upon self-shooting, a weight balance may be disrupted.In addition, it may be difficult to perform self-shooting in a statewhere the imaging apparatus is gripped by himself. When the displaydevice is a touch panel type display device, it is difficult to handlethe display device upon operation of icons displayed thereon and aplurality of operations needs to be carried out until the display deviceis directed in a direction for self-shooting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an electronic apparatus that includes adisplay unit configured to be pivotable with respect to a body between ause position and a storage position and a lid configured to be pivotablewith respect to the opening so as to open/close the opening and iscapable of avoiding interference between the display unit and the lid ina state where the display unit is in a use position. The presentinvention also provides an imaging apparatus including a display unitwhich can realize thinning of the body, improve operability of the bodyincluding the display unit and of which the angle may be changed invarious ways.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an electronic apparatusis provided that includes a body provided with an opening; a displayunit configured to be pivotable with respect to the body between a useposition and a storage position; and a lid configured to be pivotablewith respect to the opening so as to open/close the opening. The openingis provided on a surface adjacent to a storage position against whichthe bottom of the display unit is brought into abutment at the storageposition. The display unit overhangs a surface in which the opening isprovided by the pivot of the display unit from the storage position tothe use position, and the lid pivots relative to the opening to aposition which does not interfere with the display unit overhanging thesurface in which the opening is provided so as to open the opening.

According to the present invention, the electronic apparatus that iscapable of avoiding interference between the display unit and the lid ina state where the display unit pivots relative to the body so as to bein a use position may be provided. In addition, an imaging apparatusincluding a display unit which can realize thinning of the body, improveoperability of the body including the display unit and of which theangle may be changed in various ways may be provided.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary configuration ofthe imaging apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an exemplary configuration ofthe imaging apparatus of the present embodiment in a lid opened state.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary internal configuration ofthe imaging apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a forward perspective view illustrating an imaging apparatusin a state where the panel unit thereof is being opened by aphotographer.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the panelunit.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the panelunit.

FIG. 7A is a forward perspective view and FIG. 7B is a side view, eachillustrating an imaging apparatus in a state where the panel unitthereof is directed in a front obliquely upward direction.

FIG. 8A is a forward perspective view and FIG. 8B is a side view, eachillustrating an imaging apparatus in a state where the panel unitthereof is directed forward.

FIG. 9 is a functional configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating distance relationships in a panelunit.

FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating distance relationships in a panelunit.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge unit of an imagingapparatus.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the hinge unit of an imagingapparatus.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view illustrating the panel unit of an imagingapparatus as obliquely viewed from the panel unit.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a panel unit with part ofcomponents excluded therefrom.

FIG. 16A is a side cross-sectional view and FIG. 16B is a partiallyenlarged view, each illustrating a panel unit with part of componentsexcluded therefrom.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are side cross-sectional views illustrating the hingecover of a panel unit by a dotted line.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are side cross-sectional views illustrating a panelunit with part of components excluded therefrom.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary videocamera.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are diagrams illustrating a detailed configuration ofa bottom cover.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a batterylid.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are diagrams illustrating a detailed configuration ofa battery box unit.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are diagrams illustrating the opening movement of abattery lid.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the opening movement of a battery lid.

FIGS. 25A and 26B are diagrams illustrating a state where both a batterylid and a panel unit are opened.

FIG. 26 is a functional configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an imaging apparatus in anormally stored state.

FIGS. 28A and 28B are side cross-sectional views illustrating an imagingapparatus.

FIG. 29 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an imagingapparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Each of FIGS. 1A to 2B is a diagram illustrating an exemplaryconfiguration of the electronic apparatus (imaging apparatus 100) of thepresent embodiment. Each of FIGS. 1A and 2A is a perspective viewillustrating a front-view configuration of the electronic apparatus. InFIG. 2A, a lid provided on the left side of the electronic apparatus isopened. Each of FIGS. 1B and 2B is a perspective view illustratingrear-view configuration of the electronic apparatus. In FIG. 2B, a lidprovided on the right side of the electronic apparatus is opened. In theexample shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B, a video camera which is an exemplaryimaging apparatus functions as the electronic apparatus of the presentembodiment.

A camera body 101 of the imaging apparatus 100 is a video camera body.The camera body 101 includes an image-taking lens 102, a microphone 103,a release button 104, a panel unit 105, a strap pin 106, and finger gripprojections 301. The image-taking lens 102 is a lens unit for shootingan object. The microphone 103 records a voice message. The releasebutton 104 is a button for instructing the start of still imageshooting.

The panel unit 105 is a display panel on which a captured image isdisplayed and has a display surface 201. The strap pin 106 is a pin forsecuring a strap.

The camera body 101 also includes a power switch 107, a reproduce button108, and a battery lid 109. The power switch 107 is a switch foractivating the camera body 101. The reproduce button 108 is a button forswitching to the operation mode for reproducing the recorded video. Thebattery lid 109 is provided on the rear side of the camera body 101 andopens/closes upon removal of a battery.

A left side lid 110 is provided on the left side of the camera body 101.When the left side lid 110 is opened, a memory card slot 110 a and anUSB jack 110 b are provided. The memory card slot 110 a is a slot intowhich a memory card serving as a recording medium is insertable. The USBjack 110 b is a jack into which a USB cable connectable to a PC(Personal Computer) or the like is insertable.

A right side surface lid 111 is provided on the right side surface ofthe camera body 101. When the right side surface lid 111 is opened, a DCjack 111 a and an HDMI (registered trademark) jack 111 b are provided.The DC jack 111 a is a jack into which a DC cable which can providepower supply is insertable. The HDMI (registered trademark) jack 111 bis a jack into which an HDMI (registered trademark) cable which canoutput a captured image to the outside is insertable. In the presentembodiment, a direction in which the image-taking lens 102 is disposedalong the optical axis is defined as the front of the body, and adirection in which the battery lid 109 is disposed along the opticalaxis is defined as the rear of the body. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B, astate in which the panel unit 105 is closed with respect to the camerabody 101 is defined as the “stored state”, and the position of the panelunit 105 in the stored state is defined as the “storage position”.

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the image-taking lens 102, the mainsubstrate 112, and the panel unit 105 of the imaging apparatus 100according to the present embodiment. When the imaging apparatus 100 isviewed from the side of the body, the image-taking lens 102 and thepanel unit 105 are disposed at positions so as not to be overlapped witheach other in projection along the thickness direction (verticaldirection in FIG. 4) of the imaging apparatus 100 in a stored statewhere the panel unit 105 is stored in a predetermined position. Thisarrangement enables to make the thickness of the imaging apparatus 100thin, resulting in an improvement in portability. Here, the panel unit105 has a first end 200 a which is provided on the side where theimage-taking lens 102 is disposed in an image-taking orientation in thestored state where the panel unit 105 is stored in a predeterminedposition, and a second end 200 b which is provided on the side oppositeto the image-taking lens 102.

In the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, theoperator can pivot the panel unit 105 in the stored state by lifting itup such that both sides of the front side surface of the panel unit 105are nipped with the fingers of one hand of the operator as shown in FIG.4. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 2B, both left and right sides of the panelunit 105 are provided with the finger grip projections 301 so as toallow the operator to readily lift the panel unit 105 up. The fingergrip projections 301 are disposed at positions away from a connectingportion 220 to be described below, so that the panel unit 105 can bereadily opened or closed with a small force. Note that the finger gripprojections 301 are provided in the range so as not to fall outside theexternal shape of the imaging apparatus 100.

FIGS. 5A to 8B are diagrams illustrating the operations of a panel unit.FIG. 5A illustrates a state in which the panel unit 105 is opened bypivoting it with respect to the camera body 101. In the presentembodiment, this state is defined as a “use state”. The attitude of thepanel unit 105 in the use state is defined as a “normal shootingattitude”. The position of the panel unit 105 in the use state isdefined as a “use position”.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating the front of a video camerain the use state. FIG. 6A is a side view illustrating the left side ofthe video camera in the use state. The panel unit 105 is connected tothe camera body 101 via a hinge unit 210. The hinge unit 210 has arotatable two-axial hinge portion (connecting portion) and is connectedto the camera body 101 via a first connecting portion 220 such that afirst rotary shaft 105 a of the first connecting portion 220 is disposedat the rear of the body. The hinge unit 210 is also connected to thepanel unit 105 via a second connecting portion 230 such that a secondrotary shaft 105 b of the second connecting portion 230 is disposedupper than the center of the panel unit 105. The second connectingportion 230 protrudes from the panel unit 105 toward the camera body101. Thus, a cover portion 235 is configured to cover the secondconnecting portion 230. A storage surface 101 a is a surface for storingthe panel unit 105.

When the panel unit 105 rotates about the first rotary shaft 105 a fromthe stored state shown in FIG. 1A, the display surface of the panel unit105 moves rearward, so that the panel unit 105 is in the normal shootingattitude as shown in FIGS. 5A to 6A. In other words, the panel unit 105functions as a display unit that is pivotable with respect to the camerabody 101 between the use position and the storage position. At thistime, a part of the panel unit 105 overhangs rearward. Morespecifically, the panel unit 105 overhangs a surface adjacent to thestorage surface 101 a against which the backside of the panel unit 105of the camera body 101 is brought into abutment in the stored state.This enables to realize an expansion of the rotation angle and anincrease in size of the panel unit 105.

Here, the opening (“O” in the drawing) of the battery box 120 whichfunctions as a storage for storing a battery is provided in a surfaceadjacent to the storage surface 101 a as is described below. The videocamera is configured such that the battery lid 109 for opening/closingthe opening does not interfere with the panel unit 105 in the normalshooting attitude.

When the panel unit 105 is rotated from the normal shooting attitudeabout the second rotary shaft 105 b in the counter-clockwise directionin the state shown in FIG. 6A, the panel unit 105 is directed toward anobject direction, and thus, is in the self-shooting attitude shown inFIG. 6B. The self-shooting attitude is an attitude which is mainly usedfor self-shooting. When the panel unit 105 is in the self-shootingattitude, the user can perform self-shooting while viewing the displaysurface of the panel unit 105 and confirming an angle of view.

The imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a thinshape adapted to the panel unit 105, and thus, the ratio of the bottomarea of the camera body 101 to the volume of the imaging apparatus 100is high. As shown in FIGS. 5A to 8B, the movable range of the panel unit105 does not largely fall outside the outer shape of the ground plane ofthe camera body 101. The display surface 201 of the panel unit 105 is atouch panel. The display surface 201 is disposed on the upper surfaceside of the body, the imaging apparatus 100 is easy to use with animprovement in operability of the touch panel as compared to that of theconventional horizontally-hinged type imaging apparatus. Thus, stableshooting can be performed even when the panel unit 105 is inclined atany angle.

The first connecting portion 220 of the present configuration isdisposed at two locations at both ends on the side on which theimage-taking lens 102 in the camera body 101 is provided and the sideopposite thereto. Two first connecting portions 220 are disposed suchthat the rotational degree of freedom of the panel unit 105 isincreased, the stability of the panel unit 105 is increased uponhandling, and the internal compositions of the camera body 101 are notinterrupted thereby. As in the first connecting portions 220, the secondconnecting portion 230 of the panel unit 105 is also disposed at twolocations on both sides of the panel unit 105 in order to increase therotational degree of freedom of the panel unit 105 and the stabilitythereof upon handling.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of theimaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. An objectimage incident on a lens 111 of the image-taking lens 102 is convertedinto an image signal and then is output from an image sensor 112. Theoutput image signal is sent to the main substrate 112 disposed on thecamera body 101, and then is input to a control IC 122 mounted on themain substrate 112. The control IC 122 of the camera of the presentembodiment is constituted by an image processing unit 123 that convertsan image signal sent from the image sensor 112 into digital image datasuch as a brightness signal and a color difference signal and acontroller 124 provided with a CPU and a work memory.

Digital image data converted by the image processing unit 123 isexchanged with a memory unit 127 serving as a work area under control ofthe controller 124, and then is output to an external storage device 190or an external connection terminal 110 b. The external storage deviceused herein refers to a storage device which can be built in the body oris removable therefrom, such as a memory card, an HDD, or the like. Apower supply 125 turns the power supply of the imaging apparatus1000N/OFF via the controller 124 by operating a power switch or thelike. When an operating unit 126 is operated, each of the functionsassigned to the operating unit 126 is executed under control of thecontroller 124.

The panel unit 105 can display a captured object image, a video storedin the external storage device 190, and the like. The panel unit 105 hasa display unit 202 which displays a video, a touch panel 203 which isconstructed by a transparent electrode panel, and a display substrate204 which converts an input/output signal so as to input/output theresulting signal to/from the controller 124 of the camera body 101.Various types of video and icon display are displayed on the displayunit 202, and then are operated by the user via the touch panel 203, sothat various types of input/display control can be made.

A detecting unit 260 disposed within the panel unit 105 detects theattitude position of the panel unit 105. The detecting unit 260transfers an inverted detection signal to the controller 124 of thecamera body 101 via the display substrate 204 depending on the detectedattitude position of the panel unit 105. The controller 124 performscontrol for switching the display mode of the panel unit 105 and therecording mode of the external storage device 190 to a normal displaymode or an inverted display mode depending on the inverted detectionsignal.

Next, FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating the panel unit 105, thehinge unit 210, and the storage surface 101 a when the imaging apparatus100 is viewed from the same direction shown in FIGS. 6A and 8B,respectively. Here, the distance between the center of the first rotaryshaft 105 a of the first connecting portion 220 and the center of thesecond rotary shaft 105 b of the second connecting portion 230 isdefined as “A”, and the distance between the center of the second rotaryshaft 105 b of the second connecting portion 230 and the first end 200 aof the panel unit 105 is defined as “B”. The distance A and the distanceB are in a relationship of A>B. Also, the distance between the storagesurface 101 a of the camera body 101 and the center of the second rotaryshaft 105 b of the second connecting portion 230 is defined as “C”, andthe distance B and the distance C are in a relationship of C>B.

As described above, the distance A is set to be longer than the distanceB, and the distance C is set to be longer than the distance B. When suchsettings are made, the panel unit 105 does not interfere with thestorage surface 101 a of the camera body 101 as shown in FIG. 11 even inthe state where the first end 200 a of the panel unit 105 is at aposition opposing the storage surface 101 a of the camera body 101.Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, the panel unit 105 is rotatable until a statewhere the display surface 201 is directed toward the imaging directionis reached, so that the panel unit 105 is applicable to various types ofshooting styles.

While, in the present embodiment, a description has been given by takingan example in which the first rotary shaft 105 a of the first connectingportion 220 is disposed in rear (position distant from the image-takinglens 102) of the camera body 101, the present invention is not limitedthereto. In other words, the first rotary shaft 105 a of the firstconnecting portion 220 may also be disposed in front (position in closeproximity to the image-taking lens 102) of the camera body 101. Thesecond rotary shaft 105 b of the second connecting portion 230 may alsobe disposed at a position distant from the image-taking lens 102 thanthe first connecting portion 220 in a state where the panel unit 105 isstored in a predetermined position of the camera body 101. In otherwords, when the imaging apparatus 100 is viewed from the side of thebody, the second rotary shaft 105 b is located on the side opposite tothe panel unit 105 with respect to the center of the display unit. Evenin this case, the distance A between the center of the first rotaryshaft 105 a and the center of the second rotary shaft 105 b and thedistance B between the center of the second rotary shaft 105 b and thefirst end 200 a of the panel unit 105 are arranged to be in arelationship of A>B. In addition, the distance B and the distance Cbetween the storage surface 101 a and the center of the second rotaryshaft 105 b are arranged to be in a relationship of C>B, the sameeffects as those described above may be obtained.

The main substrate 112 built into the camera body 101 is electricallyconnected to the display substrate 204 built into the panel unit 105 viaa flexible substrate (FPC) 250. The camera body 101 is provided with anopening 158 for the flexible substrate in the vicinity of the firstrotary shaft 105 a of the first connecting portion 220. The panel unit105 is provided with an opening 240 for the flexible substrate in thevicinity of the second rotary shaft 105 b of the second connectingportion 230. The FPC 250 is arranged to be exposed to an exterior of animaging apparatus from each of the openings 158 and 240. Here, an FPCguard portion 251 is provided in order to prevent the FPC 250 from beingstressed upon pivoting of the panel unit 105. The FPC guard portion 251is secured to the hinge unit 210. With the aid of the aboveconfiguration, the panel unit 105 may be kept in electrical connectionwith the camera body 101 even when the panel unit 105 is inclined at anyangle.

Each of FIGS. 12 and 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of thehinge unit 210. The hinge unit 210 includes a body connecting portion211 which is connected to the camera body 101, a hinge body 212, and apanel unit connecting portion 213 which is connected to the panel unit105. The hinge unit 210 also includes a first spring portion 214 whichgenerates a click and a frictional force by an axial force when thepanel unit 105 is rotated about the first rotary shaft 105 a, and arotation locking portion 215 which rotatably couples the body connectingportion 211 and the hinge body 212. Furthermore, the hinge unit 210includes a second spring portion 224 which generates a click and africtional force by an axial force when the panel unit 105 is rotatedabout the second rotary shaft 105 b, and a rotation locking portion 225which rotatably couples the panel unit connecting portion 213 and thehinge body 212.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the panel unit 105. The touchpanel 203 is affixed to the touch panel receiving portion of a frontcover 205 via an adhesive member 206. The display unit 202 is built intothe opening 205 b of the front cover 205. Furthermore, a displaysubstrate 204 is disposed behind the display unit 202 and is alsoelectrically connected to the touch panel 203, the display unit 202, thedetection switch 260, and the like. The display substrate 204 is alsoconnected to the FPC 250 for electrical connection with the camera body101. Furthermore, the touch panel 203 is affixed to a rear cover 207which protects the hinge unit 210 and the rear portion and constitutesthe external appearance of the panel unit 105. The panel unit 105 isconfigured as described above.

Note that a holding magnet 270 for holding the stored state of the panelunit 105 is disposed on the rear of the hinge unit 210. A magnetic bodyis disposed at a predetermined position on the camera body 101 sideopposing the holding magnet 270 in the normally stored state where thepanel unit 105 is stored in a predetermined storage position such thatthe stored state is held by a magnetic force of the holding magnet 270.While, in the present embodiment, a magnetic body 165 is also a holdingsheet metal on the body side, the present invention is not limitedthereto. Another member may also be used provided that it is disposed inthe vicinity of the storage surface 101 a of the camera body 101.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the panel unit 105 of thepresent embodiment with the rear cover 207 and the like excludedtherefrom. Upon performing self-shooting, the imaging apparatus 100 ofthe present embodiment performs shooting with the display surface 201 ofthe panel unit 105 directed toward the shooting direction as shown inFIGS. 7A to 8B. When the display unit 202 is viewed from the operatorwho performs self-shooting, an image displayed on the display unit 202is vertically inverted. The display image needs to be verticallyinverted by detecting the position of the panel unit 105. In the presentembodiment, a detecting unit 260 for detecting the relative positionbetween the panel unit 105 and the hinge unit 210 in order to verticallyinvert display is built into the panel unit 105. The detecting unit 260includes a detecting knob 261 and detects the pressing of a switchprovided in the detecting unit 260 by the detecting knob 261 so as tocontrol an image to be displayed on the display unit to be inverselydisplayed.

In order to operate the switch of the detecting unit 260, a claw 231 forpressing the switch is provided on at least one side of the hinge body212 constituting the second connecting portion 230 among the hinge unit210. The claw 231 is pivoted together with the hinge body 212, and thenthe claw 231 presses down on the detecting knob 261. Consequently, theswitch of the detecting unit 260 is turned ON, so that control is madeto vertically invert a display screen. The detecting knob 261 and theclaw 231 are disposed so as to be a suitable positional relationship,and control is made to vertically invert a display image at a desiredangle.

FIG. 16A is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the panel unit 105of the present embodiment with the rear cover 207 and the like excludedtherefrom. FIG. 16B is an enlarged perspective view illustrating anenlarged structure in the vicinity of the detecting unit 260. In thepresent embodiment, the claw 231 has a projection 231 a protrudingfurther than the size of the rotating arc portion 230 of the hinge body212 indicated by a dotted line. This allows the detecting knob 261 to bepressed by the projection 231 a as shown in FIG. 16B even when therotary shaft diameter 236 of the second connecting portion 230 has asize insufficient to press the detecting knob 261 of the detecting unit260.

Here, a protecting portion 235 for protecting the second connectingportion 230 by covering therearound is formed on the rear cover 207 ofthe panel unit 105 of the present embodiment. FIGS. 17A and 17B are sideviews illustrating the positions of the protecting portion 235 among thepanel unit 105 of the present embodiment in the normally stored stateand the maximally rotated state indicated by dotted lines, respectively.The skirt of the protecting portion 235 indicated by a dotted line isenlarged in a substantially triangular shape in order to maintain thestrength while covering the second connecting portion 230. As shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B, the projection 231 a is configured to enter into thepanel unit 105 when the panel unit 105 pivots from the normally storedstate to the maximally rotated state. In the normally stored state, theprojection 231 a is stored in a space which is formed by the skirt ofthe protecting portion 235 in a substantially triangular shape. Withthis configuration, the projection 231 a is disposed at a position andin a direction not projecting from the protecting portion 235 indicatedby a dotted line even when the panel unit 105 is at any location in therange where the panel unit 105 pivots relative to the hinge unit 210.

With further advancement of reduction in size of the body as describedabove, the rotary shaft diameter 236 of the second connecting portion230 becomes small, and thus, a spring portion 224 which is a resilientmember for holding the attitude of the display unit also needs to bereduced in size accordingly. However, as the spring portion 224 isreduced in size, a spring force is decreased, resulting in a reductionin the attitude holding force of the panel unit 105, a reduction indurability in repetitive operation, or an increase in product-to-productvariation.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are side views illustrating the panel unit 105 ofanother embodiment which may solve such a phenomenon with the rear cover207 and the like excluded therefrom in the normally stored state and themaximally rotated state, respectively. In the present embodiment, aspring projection 224 a projected in accordance with the projected shapeof the claw 231 is provided as a part of the spring portion 224 servingas a resilient member so as to ensure a spring force by the springprojection 224 a, resulting in an increase in durability in repetitiveoperation and a reduction in variation in feeling of operation. Thespring projection 224 a is formed inside the rotating arc portion 232 ofthe hinge body 212, and protrudes more than the rotary shaft diameter236 of the second connecting portion 230. As shown in FIG. 18A, thespring projection 224 a is disposed on the projection 232 a side of theclaw in the normally stored state, and constantly and continuouslyimparts a frictional force caused by the spring projection 224 a of thespring portion 224 to the rotating arc portion 232 of the hinge body 212until the state shown in FIG. 18B is reached. In other words, the springprojection 224 a serving as a resilient member may constantly bear downthe hinge unit 210 within the range where the panel unit 105 pivotsrelative to the hinge unit 210. Consequently, the display unit can bestably held.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary videocamera. The video camera may be decomposed into a main substrate 112, afront cover unit 113, a top cover unit 114, a bottom cover unit 115, aleft cover unit 116, a right cover unit 117, and a battery box unit 118.The main substrate 112 includes electric components such as a powersupply IC and terminals such as an HDMI (registered trademark), a USB,and the like.

The front cover unit 113 forms the front portion of the video camera.The front cover unit 113 holds the lens 102, a sensor (not shown), andthe like. The top cover unit 114 forms the top portion of the videocamera. The panel unit 105 is attached to the top cover unit 114. Thebottom cover unit 115 forms the rear portion and the bottom portion ofthe video camera. The battery lid 109 is attached to the bottom coverunit 115. The left cover unit 116 forms the left side portion of thevideo camera. The release button 104 is provided on the left cover unit116. The battery box unit 118 holds the inserted battery.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of how the video camera isassembled. Firstly, the main substrate 112 is attached to the frontcover unit 113, the left cover unit 116 and the right cover unit 117 areincorporated into the main substrate 112, and then the top cover unit114 is attached to the main substrate 112. Next, the battery box unit118 is incorporated into the main substrate 112, and finally the bottomcover unit 115 is incorporated into the top cover unit 114 so as to fitwith the outer shape thereof for integration.

Next, a description will be given of a detailed configuration of abottom cover 119 and the battery lid 109 constituting the bottom coverunit 115 with reference to FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 21. FIG. 20A is aperspective view illustrating the bottom cover 119. FIG. 20B is anenlarged view illustrating an enlarged structure around a rotary shaft119 a denoted by reference numeral A in FIG. 20A. FIG. 21 is aperspective view illustrating the battery lid 109.

As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the rotary shaft 119 a adapted to engagewith the battery lid 109 is provided on the bottom cover 119. A slidegroove 119 b and a rotation holding groove 119 c are provided as groovesaround the rotary shaft 119 a.

As shown in FIG. 21, the battery lid 109 includes an arm 109 a, a shafthole 109 b, an attitude holding projection 109 c, a click abutmentportion 109 d, a stopper 109 e, and a claw 109 f. The shaft hole 109 band the attitude holding projection 109 c are provided on the arm 109 a.The shaft hole 109 b is formed into an elongated hole and engages withthe rotary shaft 119 a of the bottom cover 119. The rotary shaft 119 aof the bottom cover 119 engages with the shaft hole 109 b of the batterylid 109, so that the battery lid 109 is slidably and rotatably supportedon the bottom cover 119.

The attitude holding projection 109 c engages with the slide groove 119b and the rotation holding groove 119 c of the bottom cover 119. Theclick abutment portion 109 d generates a click force when the batterylid 109 is slid. The stopper 109 e butts against the battery box unit118 when the battery lid 109 is opened in the rotational direction. Theclaw 109 f is brought into abutment against the battery box unit 118 soas to hold the attitude of the battery lid 109 in the closed state.Although not illustrated in the drawings, the attitude holdingprojection 109 c, the rotary shaft 119 a, the slide groove 119 b, andthe rotation holding groove 119 c are symmetrically provided on twoopposite sides.

Each of FIGS. 22A and 22B is a diagram illustrating a detailedconfiguration of a battery box unit. FIG. 22A is a perspective viewillustrating a front-view configuration of a battery box unit 118. FIG.22B is a side view illustrating a side-view configuration of the batterybox unit 118.

The battery box unit 118 includes a battery box 120, an ejection spring(not shown), a sheet metal 121, a battery lock lever 122, an open-closespring 123, and a shaft 124. The battery box 120 stores a battery. Theejection spring ejects a battery. In other words, the battery box 120functions as a storage for storing a battery in a state where thebattery box unit 118 and the bottom cover unit 115 are assembled to thebattery box 120. The battery lid 109 is a lid for opening/closing theopening of the storage. The opening is provided on a surface adjacent tothe storage surface 101 a (FIG. 5A) of the camera body 101. While, inthe present embodiment, the battery box is applied as a storage, thepresent invention is also applicable to a storage for storing any devicewhich is used by being stored in an electronic apparatus. For example,the storage may also be a memory card storage for storing a memory card.

The sheet metal 121 forms one face of the battery box unit 118. Thebattery lock lever 122 holds a battery. The open-close spring 123 urgesthe battery lock lever 122 in a certain direction. The shaft 124 engageswith the battery lock lever 122 so as to pivotally support it.

The battery box 120 also includes an abutting surface 120 a and a sliderail 120 b. The abutting surface 120 a is brought into abutment againstthe claw 109 f of the battery lid in a state where the battery lid 109is closed. The slide rail 120 b functions as a guide portion that guidesthe battery lid 109 upon slide movement of the battery lid 109. Theclick portion 121 a that generates a click force upon slide movement ofthe battery lid 109 is provided on the sheet metal 121.

FIGS. 23A, 23B, and 24 are diagrams illustrating the opening movement ofthe battery lid 109. FIG. 23A is a perspective view illustrating thebattery lid 109 to which the battery box unit 118 and the bottom coverunit 115 are assembled in the battery lid closed state. FIG. 23B is adiagram illustrating a state where the battery lid 109 has slidably beenmoved in the direction of arrow A from the battery lid closed state.FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a state (battery lid opened state)where the battery lid 109 has been rotated in the direction of arrow Bfrom the state shown in FIG. 23B.

In the battery lid closed state shown in FIG. 23A, the claw 109 f isbrought into abutment against the abutting surface 120 a of the batterybox 120 so that the attitude of the battery lid 109 is held. When aforce is applied to the battery lid 109 in the direction of arrow A fromthe battery lid closed state, the click portion 121 a rises on thechevron shape of the click abutment portion 109 d, so that the batterylid 109 is slidably movable while generating a click force.

The battery lid 109 moves within the range of the elongated hole of theshaft hole 109 b which engages with the rotary shaft 119 a, so that thebattery lid 109 slidably moves with respect to the opening O of thebattery box 120. The battery lid 109 rotates about the rotary shaft 119a provided in the bottom cover 119 in the direction of arrow B shown inFIG. 9 from the slide movement end to the rotational movement end atwhich the stopper 109 e of the battery lid 109 butts against the batterybox. In this manner, the battery lid 109 opens the opening O of thebattery box 120. Consequently, insertion/removal of the battery can bemade. In other words, the battery lid 109 pivots with respect to theopening O so as to open/close the opening.

Each of FIGS. 25A and 25B is a diagram illustrating a state where boththe battery lid and the panel unit are opened. FIG. 25A is a diagramillustrating a cross section along the optical axis when the battery lid109 is slid and then the panel unit 105 is pivoted in the arrowdirection so as to be in the normal shooting attitude. Reference numeral109 g denotes the position of the battery lid 109 upon slidable movementthereof. The battery lid 109 interferes with the panel unit 105 at itsopened state at the position 109 g. However, in the present embodiment,after the battery lid 109 has been slidably moved, the battery lid 109rotates in the same direction as the rotational direction of the panelunit 105. In this manner, even if a part of the panel unit 105 overhangsrearward when the panel unit 105 is in the normal shooting attitude, thebattery lid 109 rotates in the same direction as the rotationaldirection of the panel unit 105, so that the panel unit 105 does notinterfere with the position of the battery lid 109 in the battery lidopened state.

In the video camera of the present embodiment, the battery lid 109 doesnot interfere with the panel unit 105 when the panel unit 105 is in thenormal shooting attitude in a state where the opening O is opened by thepivoting of the battery lid 109. In another embodiment, the video cameramay also be configured such that the battery lid 109 does not interferewith the panel unit 105 even when the panel unit 105 is in the normalshooting attitude in a state where the opening O is opened by thepivoting of the battery lid 109.

Next, a description will be given of a mechanism for holding theattitude of the battery lid 109 in the opened state. FIG. 25B is anenlarged view of a section C shown in FIG. 25A. In FIG. 25B, only thebattery lid 109 and the bottom cover 119 are shown for ease ofexplanation.

Firstly, when the battery lid 109 is slidably moved from the battery lidclosed state, the attitude holding projection 109 c of the battery lid109 moves in the slide groove portion 119 b of the bottom cover 119.Next, when the battery lid 109 starts rotational movement from the slideend, the attitude holding projection 109 c of the battery lid 109 ridesup over the arcuate end portion 119 d of the slide groove portion 119 b.When the battery lid 109 ends its rotational movement, the stopper 109 eof the battery lid 109 butts against the battery box unit 118 while atthe same time the attitude holding projection 109 c of the battery lid109 is dropped into and then engages with the rotation holding groove119 c of the bottom cover 119 as shown in FIG. 25B. In this manner, theattitude of the battery lid 109 can be held in the opened state. Inother words, the stopper 109 e and the attitude holding projection 109 cfunction as a holding mechanism for holding the attitude of the batterylid 109 in the opened state.

Note that a DC coupler (pseudo battery type adaptor) which is ofsubstantially the same configuration as a battery may also be loaded onthe battery box 120 instead of the battery such that DC power issupplied from an AC adaptor which converts AC power into DC power to aDC coupler. In this case, an electronic apparatus may be used in a statewhere the DC coupler is loaded on the battery box 120 withoutinterference of a cable for connecting the DC coupler to the AC adaptorwith the battery lid 109 and the panel unit 105.

The electronic apparatus of the present embodiment described above has astructure such that the battery lid 109 escapes even when the panel unit105 is unintentionally opened in the middle of the open operation of thebattery lid 109. In this manner, the battery lid 109 and the panel unit105 are prevented from being inadvertently damaged or scratched. Whilethe present invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, the present invention is not limited to the aboveembodiments. Various changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 26 is a functional block configuration diagram of an imagingapparatus according to a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, thedetecting unit 260 for inverting display by detecting the attitude ofthe panel unit 105 is built into the panel unit 105 and the displayscreen is vertically inverted by detecting the rotation angle of thesecond connecting portion 230. In contrast, in the present embodiment, adescription will be given of a configuration in which the detecting unit260 is built into the camera body 101. In the present embodiment, amagnetic detecting element 159 is provided within the camera body 101 asthe detecting unit 260, the position of the panel unit 105 is detectedby using the magnetic detecting element 159.

FIG. 27 is side cross-sectional view illustrating the imaging apparatusof the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 27, the holding magnet 270which is a magnetic field generating unit for holding the normallystored state is disposed on the rear cover 207 of the panel unit 105 onthe side close to the image-taking lens 102 in its normally storedstate. The magnetic body 165 is disposed at a position opposed to theholding magnet 270 in the normally stored state of the panel unit 105 inthe camera body 101. The arrangement of the holding magnet 270 and themagnetic body 165 may prevent the panel unit 105 from beinginadvertently opened in the normally stored state. Note that themagnetic field generating unit may not necessarily be a magnet as longas it generates a magnetic field.

The controller 124 detects the attitude or the position of the panelunit 105 based on the output of the magnetic detecting element 159 so asto perform display judgment control. The magnetic detecting element 159detects the approach or the movement of the panel unit 105 by capturingthe strength and variation of the magnetic field generated by theholding magnet 270 in the panel unit 105. As the magnetic detectingelement 159, a known technique for utilizing a mechanism for changing anoutput voltage depending on the change in magnetic flux density may alsobe used. For example, a Hall element utilizing the Hall-effect forgenerating an electromotive force by the interaction between themagnetic field and the current or various types of magnetoresistiveelements whose electric resistance value varies depending on thestrength of the magnetic field may also be used.

Each of FIGS. 28A and 28B is a side cross-sectional view illustrating animaging apparatus of the present embodiment in a state where the displaysurface 201 of the panel unit 105 is directed to the shooting direction.FIG. 28A shows a state where the panel unit 105 is in close proximity tothe storage surface 101 a of the camera body 101 at an angle of α whichis formed between the panel unit 105 and the hinge body 212. FIG. 28Bshows a state where the panel unit 105 is rotated such that the displaysurface 201 of the panel unit 105 is substantially perpendicular to thetop surface of the camera body 101. The magnetic detecting element 159is disposed at an intermediate position between the position of theholding magnet 270 of the panel unit 105 shown in FIG. 28A and theposition of the holding magnet 270 in the panel unit 105 shown in FIG.28B in the vicinity of the storage surface 101 a in the camera body 101.In other words, the magnetic detecting element 159 is disposed at anintermediate position of the attitude range of the panel unit 105 whichis switched to the inverted display mode by the controller 124.

The magnetic detecting element 159 is disposed at such a position withthe detection sensitivity thereof set to a suitable level so as toperform the following control. In other words, the magnetic detectingelement 159 controls a screen displayed on the panel unit 105 to bevertically inverted when the panel unit 105 is in close proximity to thestorage surface 101 a of the camera body 101 at an angle of α or lesswhich is formed between the panel unit 105 and the hinge body 212. Evenwhen the panel unit 105 is in close proximity to the storage surface 101a of the camera body 101, the magnetic detecting element 159 can controlan image to be displayed on the panel unit 105 not to be inverselydisplayed if an angle formed between the panel unit 105 and the hingebody 212 is greater than α.

FIG. 29 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where thepanel unit 105 is pivoted upward at an angle of α which is formedbetween the panel unit 105 and the hinge body 212. In the state wherethe panel unit 105 is largely distant from the storage surface 101 a ofthe camera body 101 as shown in FIG. 29, the magnetic detecting element159 does not detect the magnetic field generated by the holding magnet270. In other words, control can be made so as not to inversely displayan image in the state shown in FIG. 29.

Note that, when the magnetic detecting element 159 is mounted on themain substrate 112 which is a main substrate disposed in the body, theposition of the panel unit 105 can be detected at low cost with accuracywithout occurrence of any additional substrate or the like.

Other Embodiments

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefits of Japanese Patent Application Nos.2013-137846 filed on Jul. 1, 2013 and 2013-149671 filed on Jul. 18,2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a body havinga first surface and a second surface adjacent to the first surface, thesecond surface being provided with an opening; a display unit having adisplay surface and configured to be pivotable with respect to the bodybetween first and second use positions, in which an image is displayedon the display surface, and a storage position, in which the displayunit contacts the first surface; and a lid configured to be pivotablewith respect to the body between a close position in which the openingis closed and an open position in which the opening is opened, whereinthe display unit overhangs the second surface by pivoting from thestorage position to the first use position, and the lid in the openposition does not interfere with the display unit in the first useposition.
 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thelid rotates in the same direction as the rotational direction of thedisplay unit in a case where the display unit overhangs the secondsurface so as to move to the first use position.
 3. The electronicapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lid is slidably movablerelative to the body and rotates at a slide movement end so as to openthe opening.
 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3, whereinthe body comprises a guide portion that guides the lid during slidemovement of the lid.
 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the lid has a holding mechanism that holds the attitude of thelid in a state where the opening is opened by the rotation of the lid atthe slide movement end.
 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim5, wherein the holding mechanism has a contacting portion provided inthe lid which is contacted to the body in the state where the opening isopened, and a projection which engages with a groove provided in thebody in the state where the opening is opened.
 7. The electronicapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the body comprises a click unitthat generates a click force upon slide movement of the lid relative tothe body.
 8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theopening is provided for a storage section that stores at least abattery.
 9. An imaging apparatus functioning as the electronic apparatusaccording to claim 1.